Merck stops study of HIV vaccine

A worldwide Phase II trial of a Merck HIV
vaccine was halted after an independent reviewer found the vaccine ineffective,
the firm said.

The trial of about 3,000 HIV-negative volunteers was being co-sponsored by Merck and the HIV
Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), the largest clinical trials program for developing
and testing HIV vaccines which is part of the NIH.

Merck had been testing the drug for 10 years and, while the
vaccine was not thought to have huge commercial potential, it was considered important
in the global effort against the virus that causes AIDS. The best way to control the spread of the disease is thought to be through a prophylatic vaccine.

Had it worked, V520, as the vaccine was known internally, would
have added to a string of R&D successes for Merck that also have included Gardasil,
a vaccine against the virus that causes cervical cancer, and Januvia, a diabetes
pill. Cordaptive, an extended-release niacin + flush inhibitor, was recently filed with the FDA.

“We share in the disappointment of the research and HIV
communities today,” said Peter Kim, PhD, president, Merck Research Laboratories, in a statement. “Sadly,
developing an effective AIDS vaccine remains one of the most challenging tasks
facing modern medicine.”

According to Merck, the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board reviewed safety data and results of an interim efficacy analysis of the study,
recommending discontinuation because the trial will
not meet its efficacy endpoints.

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